TORONTO -- Brian Burke could be an NHL general manager again very soon.
Just two weeks after leaving that post with the Anaheim Ducks, Burke appeared close Tuesday to joining the Toronto Maple Leafs as president and GM -- a move that has been long-rumored.
"It's certainly headed in the right direction, but it's not done yet," Burke told the Web site for Canadian sports network TSN. "I anticipate it will get done, but it's not done."
Gord Kirke, who is handling the contract negotiations for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, was more cautious.
"Maybe I'm too much the lawyer, but for me it ain't over until it's over," Kirke said in an e-mail message to globeandmail.com. "And it's not over."
Blues 1, Predators 0, SO
In Nashville, Tenn., Chris Mason made 47 saves through overtime and then was perfect in two shootout rounds to carry the Blues to a shootout victory.
Mason earned his first shutout of the season, and the 13th of his NHL career. He outdueled Nashville's Dan Ellis, who had a 17-save effort but allowed shootout goals to Dave Perron and Brad Boyes.
Mason clinched the win with stops against Rich Peverley and Ville Koistinen in the shootout, and was sharp in killing off Barret Jackman's tripping penalty in overtime.
Sullivan rejoins Lightning staff
In Tampa, Fla., former Tampa Bay Lightning assistant Mike Sullivan is returning to the team as part of interim coach Rick Tocchet's staff.
Sullivan was hired yesterday as associate coach, the same title he held under former Lightning coach John Tortorella last season. Sullivan also coached the Boston Bruins for two seasons.
Tocchet took over as interim coach on Nov. 14, when Barry Melrose was fired just 16 games into his first season in Tampa Bay.
Lightning trade center Wyatt Smith
In Tampa, Fla., the Lightning traded minor league center Wyatt Smith to the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday for future considerations.
Smith played in 18 games with Norfolk of the AHL this season. The 31-year-old forward has played in 211 career NHL games with Phoenix, Nashville, Minnesota, Colorado and the New York Islanders.
The Lightning also reassigned goalie Karri Ramo to Norfolk. He has appeared in one game with Tampa Bay this season, allowing two goals in relief of Olaf Kolzig during a 7-3 loss to New Jersey on Sunday.
Avalanche recall Cumiskey from AHL
In Denver, the Colorado Avalanche placed forward Darcy Tucker on injured reserve yesterday with a knee injury he suffered against the Anaheim Ducks the night before.
He's expected to be sidelined for about four weeks.
The Avalanche recalled defenseman Kyle Cumiskey from Lake Erie of the American Hockey League.
